Need a poem? Take one from the master, Seamus Heaney. (Geray Sweeney/Corbis)

February 14, 2014

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One way or another, you've probably noticed that it's Valentine's Day. Maybe you received a bouquet of roses; maybe you spent the day grumbling about another Hallmark Holiday. No matter what your relationship status, Valentine's Day tends to be unavoidable.

Unfortunately, the love poetry that gets passed around on Valentine's Day is usually as predictable a box of chocolates. Shakespearean sonnets are suddenly ubiquitous, as is "roses are red, violets are blue." So I've selected these poems to offer some variety, and with the the hope that everyone who reads this will be able to relate to at least one of them. Of course, this list is in no way comprehensive — so please, feel free to suggest your own favorites in the comments.

Whatever your romantic status, have a happy Valentine's Day.

For a crush:

"Your Catfish Friend," by Richard BrautiganBrautigan's light, whimsical poem uses a catfish — which seems, at first glance, to be the most unromantic of creatures — to deliver an unexpectedly heartwarming tribute to a person you admire from afar.

If I were to live my lifein catfish formsin scaffolds of skin and whiskersat the bottom of a pond

"Having a Coke With You," by Frank O'HaraThere are few poems that burst with as much joy as O'Hara's "Having a Coke With You," which manages to capture the raw thrill of wanting to do everything with a new love:

is even more fun than going to San Sebastian, Irún, Hendaye, Biarritz, Bayonneor being sick to my stomach on the Travesera de Gracia in Barcelonapartly because in your orange shirt you look like a better happier St. Sebastianpartly because of my love for you, partly because of your love for yoghurtpartly because of the fluorescent orange tulips around the birchespartly because of the secrecy our smiles take on before people and statuaryit is hard to believe when I’m with you that there can be anything as stillas solemn as unpleasantly definitive as statuary when right in front of itin the warm New York 4 o’clock light we are drifting back and forthbetween each other like a tree breathing through its spectacles

"Bird-understander," by Craig ArnoldPart of love is recognizing the truly unique qualities of another person — and Arnold's "Bird-understander" offers a gentle, tender tribute to a lover who demonstrates a rare kind of compassion.

Of many reasons I love you here is one

the way you write me from the gate at the airport

so I can tell you everything will be alright

so you can tell me there is a birdtrapped in the terminal all the peopleignoring it because they do not knowwhat do with it except to leave it aloneuntil it scares itself to death

"Perhaps not to be is to be without your being," by Pablo NerudaThanks to his 100 Love Sonnets, Neruda's name is virtually synonymous with romantic poetry. Your safest bet is to pick up a copy and choose a page at random — you really can't go wrong — but if you're looking for a sample, try this:

Perhaps not to be is to be without your being,without your going, that cuts noon lightlike a blue flower, without your passinglater through fog and stones,without the torch you lift in your handthat others may not see as golden,that perhaps no one believed blossomed

"To His Coy Mistress," by Andrew Marvell"To His Coy Mistress" was written in the mid-1600s, but don't let that fool you — there's absolutely nothing coy about this tribute to carnal love. Marvell's message to his chaste lover is a simple one: You'll be dead someday, so why deny yourself any pleasures now?

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crime.We would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find:I by the tide Of Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow

"When You Are Old," by William Butler YeatsThis poem is, admittedly, a little whiny — he's basically saying, "I love you better than all those other guys, and someday you're going to realize it." But the language is so wistful and gorgeous that any potential bitterness is drowned out by the message of lifelong love.

"A Locked House," by W.D. SnodgrassLove poems are great — but if you happen to be heartbroken this Valentine's Day, Snograss is your man. Start with "A Locked House," which offers a sad, nostalgic tribute to a relationship that fell apart, and the wreckage it left behind.